KUALA LUMPUR: The RM9,000 individual relief that is automatically granted to Malaysians in their respective annual tax returns should be raised to RM12,000, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam).

Dr Wee said the RM9,000 individual relief in tax returns was not a realistic figure as it had not been revised in over 10 years.

"(The sum) of RM12,000 is equivalent to RM1,000 per month,” he said during his speech on Budget 2023 in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 28).

Dr Wee also suggested gradually increasing the proposed RM12,000 individual relief to RM15,000 in three years.

“This will help Malaysians, particularly the B40 and M40 who are affected by inflation,” he added.

“This is the sort of government commitment that the people need and hope for."

Dr Wee also said the RM2,000 special relief for each unmarried child still attending school should be increased to between RM3,000 and RM4,000.

For children who further their studies at universities, Dr Wee said the rebate should be increased from RM8,000 to RM10,000 each, because there are still Malaysians who rely on National Higher Education Fund Corporation (PTPTN) loans.

“These two steps are more effective in helping the M40, particularly those affected by rising inflation,” added Dr Wee.

@drweekasiong SIAPA 2 JUTA PENCARUM KWSP BERUMUR 40-54 TAHUN YANG MEMILIKI SIMPANAN KURANG RM10,000 DALAM AKAUN 1? Saya telah meneliti Laporan Tahun Bersepadu KWSP 2021 yang diterbitkan oleh KWSP pada tahun 2022 (terkini) dan telah saya paparkan jadual-jadual berkaitan daripada laporan tersebut, data-data KWSP didapati bercanggah langsung dengan data-data yang dibekalkan kepada YAB PM. Mana mungkin seluruh kohort pencarum aktif berumur 40-54 mempunyai simpanan kurang daripada RM10,000 ? Sekiranya data 2 juta pencarum berumur 40-54 tahun yang dibentangkan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri adalah benar, maka negara ini mengalami krisis yang amat serius. Ini pendedahan saya untuk diambil perhatian serius oleh kerajaan. —————————- WHO ARE THE 2 MILLION EPF CONTRIBUTORS AGED 40-54 WITH LESS THAN RM10,000 SAVINGS IN ACCOUNT 1? I had gone through EPF 2021 Integrated Annual Report published by EPF in 2022 (latest) and I had displayed the related charts from the report, the EPF data contradicted the data provided by the Prime Minister. How is it possible that the entire cohort of active contributors aged 40-54 with savings of less than RM10,000? The Prime Minister had said that 2 million EPF contributors are aged 40-54, if this is true, this presents a crisis that must be taken seriously indeed by the Government. #Belanjawan2023 #DewanRakyat #WeeCare original sound - DrWeeKaSiong

He commended the government for allocating RM1bil in Budget 2023 for a RM500 contribution to each of the two million Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors aged 40 to 54 who have less than RM10,000 in their respective Account 1.

However, Dr Wee said it was concerning that their number was that high.

“If what was tabled by the Prime Minister is true, then the nation is dealing with a very serious crisis.

“This means that there are two million active contributors with savings less than RM10,000 after decades of contribution,” he said, adding that the government needed to accurately identify the target groups to receive the RM500.

“This data should be looked at again so that target groups will benefit,” he said.

“In addition, the RM500 contribution should not include inactive EPF members, as they may no longer reside in Malaysia or (may not qualify for) that contribution."

@drweekasiong SYOR TANGANI INFLASI Pandemik COVID-19 yang melanda dunia termasuk Malaysia telah memberi kesan kepada kita semua. Ditambah pula dengan konflik Rusia – Ukraine yang turut menyumbang kepada kegawatan ekonomi global serta inflasi yang sememangnya dirasai oleh rakyat Malaysia khususnya golongan B40 dan M40. Malah, subsidi kepada rakyat turut dipotong dan memberi kesan kepada mereka. Oleh yang demikian, ini syor saya kepada Kerajaan. __ RECOMMENDATIONS ON MITIGATING INFLATION The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted everyone throughout the world and Malaysians have not been spared. The Russia – Ukraine conflict has also caused global economic downturn and inflation which have badly affected Malaysians, especially the B40 and M40 groups. At the same time, subsidies for the people have been reduced and many are badly hit. I made some recommendations to the Government in an attempt to alleviate their hardships. #Belanjawan2023 #DewanRakyat #WeeCare original sound - DrWeeKaSiong

On Friday (Feb 24), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that two million EPF members aged between 40 and 54 with less than RM10,000 in their account 1 will receive a RM500 contribution.

Debates on Budget 2023 at the policy stage, which are set to take place for two weeks in Parliament, began on Monday (Feb 27).

After debates at the policy stage, Budget 2023 will be debated at the committee stage for a further three weeks before being passed.

@drweekasiong TERIMA KASIH KERANA MENDENGAR SUARA AYER HITAM Diharapkan kerja-kerja menaik taraf Lebuhraya Utara Selatan dari Yong Peng Utara ke Senai Utara - Fasa 1, Johor itu tidak akan menganggu perjalanan di lebuh raya dan memastikan kelancaran lalu-lintas untuk keselesaan serta keselamatan semua pengguna jalan raya. __ THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THE NEED OF AYER HITAM We hope that the widening works of the North-South Expressway from Yong Peng Utara to Senai Utara – Phase 1 in Johor will not cause any disruption. This project will certainly bring more comfort and safety of road users there. #Belanjawan2023 #DewanRakyat #WeeCare original sound - DrWeeKaSiong

@drweekasiong MANTAPKAN INDUSTRI PERTANIAN, LAHIRKAN USAHAWAN TEMPATAN YANG HEBAT Saya sangat berharap kerajaan dapat mewujudkan satu dasar yang berupaya memberi manfaat kepada para petani tempatan menerusi pemerkasaan bidang pertanian. __ EMPOWERING THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY, PRODUCING EXCELLENT LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS I hope that the Government will formulate a policy that will benefit local farmers by empowering the agriculture industry. #Belanjawan2023 #DewanRakyat #WeeCare original sound - DrWeeKaSiong